§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Local Government Commission will examine requests from areas within existing metropolitan districts for unitary status; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireWe intend to ask the Local Government Commission to look at boundary issues in the metropolitan counties when it has completed its programme of reviews in the shires. If the commission finds evidence that metropolitan district boundaries need to be looked at before then, my right hon. Friend can consider this in relation to the commission's programme.